Baba Toon Interviews Himanshu, the Animator

Born in the god town of Mathura, lack of inspiration turned Himanshu (aka Aeolus Ikki) into a dull boy. Though he was bullied several times yet he failed to realize. And thus eventually his bullies became his friends. A self-confessed shy guy, he studied from Grace Convent Senior Secondary School, and recalls being “scared of girls”. One of the founding members of the Bat Hunting Gang, he would often be seen chasing bats with sticks, paper guns and CD frisbee.

Baba Toon: How did you get into the world of animation?

Himanshu: As a child I was hooked to cartoons at the first sight. Ninja Robots, Pokémon, Gundam, Digi Monsters, Captain Planet, et al. But in Mathura, one either becomes an engineer or a Chartered Accountant. I moved to Delhi to study CA. It took me two years to convince my parents to allow me to drop the course and join animation.

Himanshu: It is the world that I inherited from my childhood. Living in an imaginary world, moving in different dimensions. The possibilities are endless- both good and bad. Animation allows one to become the creator. It is an illusion of reality while interacting with other worlds. It encompasses everything.

Baba Toon:What is your experience in the animation industry?

Himanshu:Relying on my institution was a big mistake. The method of instruction was outdated by 10 years. The teachers kept leaving all the time. My zeal for traditional animation got me interested in motion graphics. I have worked in three different companies before I found Brainpan Studio. I was betrayed and was overworked. Yet I got to wear many hats and weave over hundred projects.

Baba Toon: What part of your life involves animation?

Himanshu: I relate personalities to myself. I live my life according to that code. I create images to reflect personas that I hold. I build original characters for my own self. Who wouldn’t want to live in an animated world?

Himanshu: Precision, quality, motivation, experience and skill are essential in developing good animation. It changes according to mood. Happy and motivated animator creates good animation. One needs to enjoy, imagine and create/destroy.

Baba Toon: What else other than animation excites you?

Himanshu: Music, maybe.

Baba Toon: Do you have any last words?

Himanshu:You don’t live in one but many worlds. Each world carries a destiny, from a peasant to a king. What you choose to become is something for you to decide. For everything is illusion or reality.